1198456 - Call for Research Grant Assignment

Role: 1198456 - Call for Research Grant Assignment
Organization: Universidade de Coimbra
Department: Divisão de Projetos e Atividades (Bolsas) / Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Sciences and Technology
Location: Portugal
Contract Type: Temporary, Full-time
Researcher Profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)
Application Deadline: 10 Jul 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Lisbon)

Job Overview
The University of Coimbra opens a call for the assignment of a research grant for 1 position under the project COMPETE2030-FEDER-00797700, titled “SymbIO4WWTP - Multi-Symbiotic InterOperable Model for AI-Optimized Sustainable Wastewater Treatment Plant”. The grant is governed by the University of Coimbra Research Grant Regulations (RBI-UC), the Research Grant Regulations of the Foundation for Science and Technology (RBI-FCT), the Research Fellow Statute (EBI), and other applicable national and community legislation.

Responsibilities
The selected candidate will carry out tasks with the following main objectives:
1. Development of a simulation and testing framework using Simulink/Matlab and the BMS2 model.
2. Development of an operational optimisation tool using artificial intelligence techniques.
3. Dissemination of results.

Requirements and Qualifications
Legal Admission Requirements:
- Grant Recipients must be either:
- Students enrolled in a doctoral degree in the scientific area of mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, engineering physics, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering and management, or related fields; OR
- Master’s degree holders in the scientific area of mechanical engineering, electrical and computer engineering, physics engineering, mechanical engineering, chemical engineering, industrial engineering and management, or related fields, enrolled in a non-degree-granting course.
- The non-degree-granting course must be related to the type of activity covered by the grant and developed in association or cooperation between the higher education institution and one or more R&D units.
- Eligible Nationalities: Portuguese nationals, nationals of other EU Member States, nationals of third countries, stateless persons, or beneficiaries of political refugee status. If the work plan takes place in foreign institutions, candidates must prove permanent and habitual residence in Portugal at the start of the grant.

Ineligible Candidates:
- Candidates enrolled in non-degree-granting courses who have already benefited from a grant contract and who, with this grant assignment (including renewals), exceed a total accumulated period of two consecutive or non-consecutive years in this type of grant.
- Candidates who have already benefited from two research grant contracts with UC in the condition of being enrolled in a doctoral degree, regardless of whether each contract has reached the maximum legally permitted duration.

Selection Methods:
Evaluation is based on Academic Record (AR) and Interview (I).
- AR (60% of final score):
- Criterion 1: Absolute merit of Curriculum Vitae (30%)
- Criterion 2: Adequacy of the candidate’s profile to the work plan (70%)
- Interview (40% of final score):
- Criterion 1: Knowledge and profile appropriate to the functions to be developed (100%)
- Candidates scoring below 50 in any selection method are excluded.
- Tie-breaking criteria: Score in the first method applied, then score of academic qualifications.

What They Offer
- Duration: Initial grant duration of 6 months, possibly renewable.
- Financial Conditions:
- Monthly grant amount: 1.359,64€ (paid by bank transfer at the end of each month).
- Voluntary social security (SSV) is included for grants of six months or more (first level, if opted for).
- Mandatory personal accident insurance.
- Funding: Funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) through national funds and the Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) through the Innovation and Digital Transition Thematic Program (COMPETE2030), Portugal 2030.
- Status: The grant does not create a legal-labor relationship. It is carried out under an exclusive dedication regime, and the grantee is awarded the Research Grantee Status.

Application Process
Candidates must register on the electronic platform https://apply.uc.pt/ to submit their application. Documents must be in PDF format and submitted in Portuguese and/or English (with translation if originals are in another language).

Mandatory Documents:
- Curriculum Vitae, duly updated, dated, and signed.
- Copy of academic degree certificates (proof of recognition for foreign degrees required by contract signing).
- Proof of enrollment in a degree or non-degree course (sworn statement accepted at application stage, proof required by grant agreement stage).
- Documentation proving prior grant benefits (whenever possible).

Other Documents:
- Motivation letter.
- Any other relevant elements.

Scientific Supervision/Coordination:
Jérôme Amaro Pires Mendes and Jorge Sampaio Silveira Júnior